How Singapore personal income tax works
Singapore imposes income tax under the Income Tax Act 1947. A year of assessment (YA) is the year in which income earned in the preceding calendar year is assessed. Chargeable income generally means assessable income after permitted deductions and personal reliefs. A marginal tax rate applies only to the portion of chargeable income within a particular bracket, not to the entire income.
Tax residency depends on the facts and statutory rules, including days of presence or work in Singapore and certain administrative concessions. Citizenship or nationality alone does not decide residence status. See IRAS tax residency and rates.
Resident individual income tax rates - YA 2026
Tax residents pay progressive national income tax on chargeable income. The following rates apply from YA 2024 and continue for YA 2026.
| Portion of annual chargeable income (SGD) | Marginal rate |
|---|---|
| First 20,000 | 0% |
| Next 10,000 (20,001-30,000) | 2% |
| Next 10,000 (30,001-40,000) | 3.5% |
| Next 40,000 (40,001-80,000) | 7% |
| Next 40,000 (80,001-120,000) | 11.5% |
| Next 40,000 (120,001-160,000) | 15% |
| Next 40,000 (160,001-200,000) | 18% |
| Next 40,000 (200,001-240,000) | 19% |
| Next 40,000 (240,001-280,000) | 19.5% |
| Next 40,000 (280,001-320,000) | 20% |
| Next 180,000 (320,001-500,000) | 22% |
| Next 500,000 (500,001-1,000,000) | 23% |
| Above 1,000,000 | 24% |
For example, SGD 100,000 of chargeable income results in SGD 5,650 of tax before any applicable rebate or credit: SGD 3,350 on the first SGD 80,000 and SGD 2,300 on the next SGD 20,000. The tax-free first SGD 20,000 is not an automatic exemption from filing.
Official reference: IRAS resident tax rates.
Tax rates for nonresident individuals
Nonresident employment income is generally taxed at 15% or at resident progressive rates, whichever gives the higher tax amount. Employment exercised in Singapore for 60 days or less may qualify for exemption, but exceptions apply, including for directors, public entertainers and certain professionals.
| Income category | General treatment |
|---|---|
| Employment income | 15% or resident progressive rates, whichever produces more tax |
| Nonresident director remuneration | 24% withholding tax generally applies |
| Nonresident professional fees | Generally 15% of gross fees or 24% of net income if the qualifying election is made |
| Nonresident public entertainers | Special withholding rules apply; check the rate applicable to the payment date |
| Rental and other taxable income | Generally 24% for relevant nonresident individual income, subject to specific rules |
| Interest, royalties and other specified payments | Separate withholding rates, exemptions or treaty relief may apply |
Tax treaty provisions can change the result for eligible foreign taxpayers. Refer to IRAS withholding tax guidance and the applicable double taxation agreement.
Tax reliefs, deductions and rebates
Eligible resident individuals may claim reliefs such as earned income relief, spouse or child relief, qualifying parent relief, CPF relief and certain approved donations or other deductions, subject to their conditions. The overall personal income tax relief cap is SGD 80,000 per YA. Nonresidents generally do not receive the same personal reliefs as residents.
Rebates are year-specific. The original article mentioned a 20% rebate capped at SGD 500, but that should not be treated as an automatic annual rebate for YA 2026. Check the current IRAS individual tax guidance for any announced YA-specific rebate.
Residents can usually file using myTax Portal. IRAS generally requires individuals who are notified to file to do so even if little or no tax is ultimately payable.
Historical Singapore tax rates: YA 2018-2019
The original webpage presented the following resident tax schedule under the heading “From YA 2017 onwards.” It reflects the historical rates applicable to YA 2018-2019; the upper bands were subsequently changed, so the table must not be used for YA 2026.
| Chargeable Income | Income Tax Rate | Income Tax Amount |
|---|---|---|
| upto $ 20,000 | Nil | Nil |
| $ 20,000 - $ 30,000 | 2% | 200 |
| $ 30,000 - $ 40,000 | 3.5% | 550 |
| $ 40,000 - $ 80,000 | 7% | 3,350 |
| $ 80,000 - $ 1,20,000 | 11.5% | 7,950 |
| $ 1,20,000 - $ 1,60,000 | 15% | 13,950 |
| $ 1,60,000 - $ 2,00,000 | 18% | 21,150 |
| $ 2,00,000 - $ 2,40,000 | 19% | 28,750 |
| $ 2,40,000 - $ 2,80,000 | 19.5% | 36,550 |
| $ 2,80,000 - $ 3,20,000 | 20% | 44,550 |
| Above $ 3,20,000 | 22% | 44,550 + 22% of amount exceeding $3,20,000 |
Historical personal income tax rebates
The original page described a 20% rebate capped at SGD 500. Such rebates must be matched to the particular YA in which they were granted; they do not continue indefinitely.
Older historical rates: YA 2013-2016
| Chargeable Income | Income Tax Rate | Income Tax Amount |
|---|---|---|
| upto $ 20,000 | Nil | Nil |
| $ 20,000 - $ 30,000 | 2% | 200 |
| $ 30,000 - $ 40,000 | 3.5% | 550 |
| $ 40,000 - $ 80,000 | 7% | 3,350 |
| $ 80,000 - $ 1,20,000 | 11.5% | 7,950 |
| $ 1,20,000 - $ 1,60,000 | 15% | 13,950 |
| $ 1,60,000 - $ 2,00,000 | 17% | 20,750 |
| $ 2,00,000 - $ 3,20,000 | 18% | 42,350 |
| Above $ 3,20,000 | 20% | 42,350 + 20% of amount exceeding $3,20,000 |
For YA 2015, the original article recorded a rebate of 50% of tax payable capped at SGD 1,000. For YA 2013, it recorded a maximum rebate of SGD 1,500, with a 30% rebate for taxpayers below 60 years on 31 December 2012 and 50% for those aged 60 or above. These are historical measures only.
Historical nonresident rates from YA 2017
The following archived table retains the original nonresident categories and rates. Some figures, including the 22% director remuneration rate and entertainer concession, are superseded or time-limited.
| Type of Income | Non Resident Individual Tax Rate / Withholding Tax Rates from YA 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Director Remuneration | 22% |
| (b) | Income from activity as non resident professional (Consultant, trainer, coach etc) | 15% of Gross Income or 22% of Net Income |
| (c) | Income Received from activity as non resident public entertainer (Artiste, Musician, Sportsman etc) | 10% Concessionary Rate |
| (d) | Other Income (e.g. Property, rental income) | 22% |
| (3) | SRS withdrawn by non resident SRS member | 22% |
| (f) | Interest, Royalty etc | Reduced withholding tax rate (subject to conditions) - Interest : 15% -Royalty : 10% Or 22% if withholding tax rate is not applicable |
Frequently asked questions
Does every foreigner pay nonresident income tax?
No. Foreigners can qualify as Singapore tax residents depending on their presence and employment arrangements. Tax residency must be determined for the relevant YA.
What is the highest Singapore resident income tax rate in YA 2026?
The top marginal resident rate is 24% on chargeable income exceeding SGD 1 million.
Are capital gains taxed in Singapore?
Capital gains are generally not taxed, but gains from activities that amount to trading or business income may be taxable. Classification depends on the facts and the applicable law.
Official law and tax resources
- Singapore Income Tax Act 1947 (Singapore Statutes Online)
- IRAS - tax residency and individual income tax rates
- IRAS - withholding tax
- IRAS - myTax Portal
This article provides general information, not individualized tax advice. Check the applicable assessment year, IRAS notices and statutory provisions before filing.